Idaho Farm Bureau® News

Thursday, February 21, 2019

POCATELLO – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has earned the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Friend of Farm Bureau Award for his efforts during the 115th Congress.

“Idaho farmers and ranchers produce high quality, healthy commodities and crops locally that are consumed globally. Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar industry in Idaho, and it is critical for our farmers, ranchers, producers and growers to have fair, equitable trade and market access to remain competitive. I am proud to advocate for Idaho’s agricultural families in Washington,” said Crapo. “It is an honor to be named a friend to Idaho's producers, and I will continue working to ensure our agriculture communities continue to thrive."

The Friend of Farm Bureau award is given at the end of each Congress to members of Congress nominated by their state Farm Bureaus and approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.

The award is based upon voting records on AFBF’s priority issues established by the board of directors, number of bills that a member has sponsored and co-sponsored, their specific leadership role for Farm Bureau on priority issues, and how accessible and responsive the member of Congress is to Farm Bureau members and leaders.

According to a University of Idaho study, agriculture is the most important sector in the state’s economy. It showed that agriculture is directly and indirectly responsible for 16 percent of the state’s total Gross Domestic Product as well as $27 billion in sales annually and one of every seven jobs in the state.

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation President Bryan Searle said Senator Craopo gets high marks when it comes to leadership on important issues and for being accessible to Farm Bureau members and responding to their concerns.

“Senator Crapo receives this award because his actions prove that he understands the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy and to national security,” said Searle. “We applaud the Senator for his work and look forward to working closely with him on issues important to Farm Bureau members and the state’s 24,000 farmers and ranchers.”

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

WASHINGTON– The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the state of Utah and San Juan County (Utah), last week filed a brief in support of President Donald Trump’s December 2017 proclamations decreasing the size of the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument and the Bears Ears National Monument.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the brief backs the federal government’s request to dismiss a series of consolidated cases filed against President Trump’s declarations.

The brief explains how changes made by the proclamations will protect ranchers’ livelihoods by enhancing their ability to graze livestock in and around the monuments. “Plaintiffs’ claims, if granted, would significantly jeopardize the Farm Bureaus’ members who ranch in the area under the authority of multiple federal laws and regulations, just as their ancestors have done for generations over the last 150 years,” the groups wrote.

They emphasized that, contrary to the plaintiffs’ assertions, President Trump was authorized to take such action under the Antiquities Act and that presidents before him had made similar modifications to national monuments on at least 18 separate occasions.

“The Act does not contain any limitations to a President’s ability to modify the area of land reserved for an existing monument should it be determined that the area reserved is not consistent with the Antiquities Act’s limited reservation authority.”

Indeed, there is no legal precedent for limiting Trump’s authority to make such modifications. Instead, the Supreme Court, federal circuit courts and federal district courts have uniformly supported broad presidential authority under the Antiquities Act, the groups wrote in the brief.

Nor has Congress ever passed a law in response to a presidential declaration modifying a national monument. In fact, the two times in which Congress has responded to a national monument proclamation both related to the establishment of national monuments, not modifications to already established monuments.

In addition to being legally sound and within the authority granted by the Antiquities Act, the President’s proclamations properly balance competing interests regarding the designation and management of public lands within Utah, the groups said.

The reduction of the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument and the Bears Ears National Monument “is a step toward rectifying the abuses of the Antiquities Act that occurred when each monument was created over the objection and without the input of Utah’s elected representatives.”

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

America has a farm labor shortage. By ZIPPY DUVALAmericans expect a lot from farmers and ranchers: fresh, unblemished fruits and vegetables, locally grown and responsiblyharvested.

In California, farmers and ranchers produce more than 400 commodities. That’s more than a third of the country’s vegetablesand two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts. California farm receipts exceeded $50 billion in 2017.This prodigious output isn’t automatic and doesn’t happen by chance. American agriculture relies on hundreds of thousands ofskilled workers to plant the fields, tend the crops, harvest the produce and pack it for markets both here and abroad. We don’t have enough of these workers.For many in Mexico or Central America, American farms and ranches represent a cherished opportunity. This is true not just inCalifornia, which employs more agricultural workers than any other state. I hear the same refrain from dairy farmers in Wisconsin; cherry producers in Michigan; tobacco growers in North Carolina; sweet potato farmers in Louisiana; citrus groweris in Florida; and livestock farmers in Texas.Farming’s labor system is broken. We need to fix it.

Let’s start with a few truths. The first is that less than 2% of Americans grow up on farms. But shifting demographics are onlypart of the challenge.Farm work is episodic and often seasonal, and fruits and vegetables have a short window to be harvested, packed and shippedto market. Dairy workers have the opposite problem: Cows don’t take a day off. They must be milked twice, sometimes three times, a day, 365 days a year. In either case, farm labor means long hours of hard work.

Most Americans don’t see strong economic prospects in farming. But for many in Mexico or Central America, American farms and ranches represent a cherished opportunity.

And yet, for farmers, making sure the person you hire is here legally is often beyond reach. The law tells farmers not toquestion a job applicant’s papers unless they are obviously false. If a farmer questions a worker about his or her name, Social Security number or green card, the farmer is open to a lawsuit by the worker or even the U.S. Justice Department.

Mandating E-Verify for agriculture without an expanded guest worker program would make the situation worse. Instead it would decimate the existing agricultural workforce without providing any workers to take their place.

These realities — a dearth of Americans who want to work on farms, people from outside the U.S. who do want to work on farms, and a law that virtually compels farmers to hire workers who are in the country illegally — give us the situation wehave today.

The American Farm Bureau was encouraged last month when Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), the new chair of the HouseImmigration Subcommittee, proposed to tackle one aspect of this issue. Lofgren introduced H.R. 641, the Agricultural WorkerProgram Act of 2019, which, if passed, would provide a pathway to legalization for agricultural workers who are already here.

But this bill isn’t enough. U.S. agriculture needs a guest worker program that will help us replace the workers covered by the Lofgren bill as they age out or move to other sectors of the economy.

The current H-2A program, which is supposed to assist farmers and ranchers, too often falls short in meeting growers’ orworkers’needs. California growers traditionally don’t employ their workers through such arrangements. As a result, althoughH-2A is expanding in California, it still represents a small portion of the workforce.The guest worker program needs to work for all growers in all states. It must be flexible for growers in California by providingemployment for at-will workers. And it should grant flexibility for growers who cannot construct housing, by allowing them to use a housing voucher for workers.Some claim that guest worker programs depress U.S. wages, but the situation in agriculture clearly shows they do not. Thesejobs routinely pay well above minimum wage.

Others argue that H-2A workers surrender too many rights when they sign contracts, but workers who break the law and work outside the system are far more vulnerable to exploitation. Such workers often arrive after paying a coyote a hefty fee. They have no guaranteed housing, as with H-2A, and they will find it harder to return to the same farm year after year.

The contractual arrangement under the current H-2A program has worked for some growers, and it should remain available to those who need it. But the wage structure in H-2A does not reflect market realities.

In fact, the H-2A wage is not really a wage at all: It’s a tally based on often questionable surveys undertaken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture aimed at protecting a worker who doesn’t exist. Better data that reflect actual wages paid to real workers would protect both workers and growers and support continued U.S. agricultural production.

Lofgren should be commended for her leadership. Now the hard work must begin by growers, worker advocates, Republicans, Democrats, the Trump administration and Congress. We need a 21st century solution that works for growers and workers alike.Zippy Duvall is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Gov. Brad Little and several Idaho legislators spoke to IFBF members about a variety of issues important to the state’s agricultural community.

Several leaders of the state’s agricultural industry attended the event, which included breakout commodity forums where issues affecting several of the state’s main farm and livestock commodities were discussed.

Members of Idaho’s congressional delegation addressed IFBF members during a conference call and provided updates on national issues that could impact agriculture.

“The conference allows Farm Bureau members to have honest discussions with lawmakers about issues that affect agriculture while the legislative session is in full swing,” said IFBF President Bryan Searle, a Shelley farmer.

During a strolling buffet dinner Feb. 12, Farm Bureau members were able to sit down with their elected officials and have up-close conversations about various issues.

Searle said the opportunities to dialogue with lawmakers allow Farm Bureau’s grassroots members, who developed IFBF’s policies, to educate legislators about those policies and promote and defend them.

“Legislators and Farm Bureau don’t always agree on every issue but it helps keep the state’s agricultural industry healthy when we can sit down with them and have a direct dialogue,” he said. “Building good working relationships with all of our elected officials is critical in promoting and defending our policy.”

Little, a rancher from Emmett, told IFBF members that the first two executive orders he signed, on Jan. 31, are aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.

That includes the Red Tape Reduction Act, which requires state agencies to repeal two existing rules for everyone rule they propose. The governor also signed the Licensing Freedom Act of 2019, which includes recommendations to improve, modify or eliminate licensing requirements or other regulatory burdens.

Little said the orders are meant to embed into the consciousness of state agencies “that rules on top of rules on top of rules are a barrier, particularly to small businesses,” a comment that drew applause from Farm Bureau members.

The governor said he would work with IFBF and legislators to find ways to improve the transportation infrastructure that farmers, ranchers, and other Idaho businesses rely on to move their products to markets in an efficient and timely manner.

“We’re going to work on that going forward,” he said.

Following Little’s presentation, Searle said, “We appreciate our relationship with Governor Little and we look forward to working with him to make agriculture better and stronger.”

During separate presentations to Farm Bureau members, several lawmakers also thanked the group’s members for working with them to address important issues.

“I want to thank Farm Bureau for all the work they’ve done over the years to keep Idaho and America safe for agriculture and entrepreneurs,” said Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, the assistant majority leader in the Senate.

Rep. Marc Gibbs, a Republican farmer from Grace, said it’s more important than ever for the state’s farming and ranching industry to speak with a unified voice.

As Idaho continues to grow rapidly, the number of people and lawmakers involved in agriculture are shrinking in relation to the total population, he said.

“It’s vitally important that those of us in agriculture speak with one voice,” he said.

During the conference, Searle credited Farm Bureau members for the success Idaho Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau have had over the years.

“American Farm Bureau just celebrated it’s 100thyear and Idaho Farm Bureau is celebrating its 79thyear,” he said. “The organizations have survived because of the grassroots.”

Searle said the commodity forums held during the event provide an opportunity for people appointed to IFBF’s commodity committees to meet and discuss their concerns with other members.

“This input coming from grassroots provides the opportunities to make sure we are promoting our policy and also create any needed new policies,” he said.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Washington--With the publication earlier this week of EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed new Clean Water Rule, Farm Bureau is urging farmers and ranchers to tell the administration how much they value clean water and clear rules.

The proposed rule, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, is “a major step toward fair and understandable water regulation on America’s farms and ranches and other working lands.”

The organization is still delving into the proposal, but Duvall noted even a quick glance shows many of the worst problems created by the previous rule, which would have treated much of the landscape as though it were water itself, are on their way out.

While AFBF staff digs into the proposed new rule, “farmers and ranchers continue to work hard every day to preserve the world around us,” Duvall said, pointing to USDA data showing farmers and ranchers are devoting more of their land to conservation than ever before, thanks to USDA programs that let them do well while doing good.

“We are proud of the progressive farmers and ranchers to have made in their fields and ranges, and we look forward to making even more progress with fair, clear and reasonable rules,” Duvall said.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Washington--Here’s what we know: Caseload statistics from the United States Courts indicate that in 2018 Chapter 12 family farmer and family fisherman bankruptcies nationwide were down from prior-year levels. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy provides a flexible and seasonal repayment schedule, and at times may provide lower interest rates and reduce the overall debt burden.

Chapter 12 filings in 2018 totaled 498 and were down 1 percent, or three filings, from the 2017 calendar year. This echoes recent Farm Bureau analysis that revealed that Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings were lower when comparing filings from the fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2018 (Chapter 12 Bankruptcies Lower Across Farm Country). Statistics from the U.S. Courts also show Chapter 12 filings during 2018 were down slightly from the 10-year average of 504 bankruptcies per year.

We also know, however, that Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in 19 states were higher than prior-year levels. In these states, there were 303 bankruptcy filings, up from 204 filings the year before. In the Midwest, for example, bankruptcies totaled 223 filings and were up 19 percent from prior-year levels. Bankruptcies in the Midwest were also double what they were in 2008 and at the highest level in more than a decade. So, farm bankruptcies are both up and down. Today’s Market Intel seeks to provide perspective on 2018 farm bankruptcies by reviewing historical trends and year-over-year changes.
Bankruptcy Rate Across Agriculture

We had fewer farm bankruptcies in 2018 than the year before. We also likely had fewer farms in the United States in 2018 relative to 2017. Therefore, while the total number of farm bankruptcies was lower in 2018, it’s possible the number of farm bankruptcies as a share of total farm operations was higher. To evaluate this possibility, the bankruptcy rate per 10,000 farms was calculated from 1987 to 2018. Farm numbers in 2018 are not available from USDA, so a trend estimate of farm numbers was implied based on historical farm numbers.

Using data implied from USDA’s Farm Production Expenditures survey, in 2017 there were 2.04 million farms in the U.S. Based on the 501 Chapter 12 bankruptcies, the bankruptcy rate per 10,000 farms was 2.456 in 2017. The U.S. has lost an average of 1 percent of U.S. farms annually during the last decade, putting the 2018 trend estimate for farm numbers at 2.025 million. When we put that 2.025 million farms up against the 498 farm bankruptcy filings, the bankruptcy rate per 10,000 farms is estimated to have climbed slightly in 2018 to approximately 2.459. This is the highest level since 2011 and the fourth consecutive year of rising bankruptcy rates as a proportion of the farm population. Figure 1 highlights the annual Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings and the bankruptcy rate per 10-thousand farms.

State-Level Farm Bankruptcies

Reviewing farm bankruptcies at the national level does not tell the full story. Certain sectors of the farm economy have suffered several consecutive years of low prices and revenue. For example, cash receipts for dairy farms fell by nearly 30 percent from 2014 to 2015 and have remained at depressed levels, and below the 10-year average. Similarly, cash receipts from wheat have fallen by 45 percent since the 2013 high and have remained below $10 billion for four consecutive years. (The 10-year average was $11.5 billion) Corn cash receipts are down 33 percent from 2012 and have been below the 10-year average for four consecutive years.

The net effect is that growers in states with high concentrations of these agricultural products have likely faced increased financial pressure in recent years. Farm bankruptcies in Wisconsin, the second largest dairy state, totaled 49 filings in 2018 – the highest in the nation. Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in Wisconsin were the highest in over a decade and were more than double the level experienced in 2009. Other states also saw bankruptcy levels reach decade-high levels. These states include Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah. Combined, these six states had 153 bankruptcy filings in 2018 – up from 108 filings the year before and 64 filings a decade ago. Figure 2 identifies Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings by state for 2018.

Year-Over-Year Changes in Bankruptcy

Nineteen states saw Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings increase in 2018. Increases in bankruptcy levels were highest in New York, followed by Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska among others. In many of these states, the climb in bankruptcies experienced in 2018 is the largest or second-largest increase experienced over the last decade. Furthermore, all of these states have high concentrations of dairy, corn and wheat producers – helping to explain the rise in farm bankruptcies. Figure 3 identifies the year-over-year change in farm bankruptcy filings.

When grouped by region, farm bankruptcies were the highest in the Midwest, with 223 filings in 2018. The 223 filings in the Midwest were the most in that region in the last decade, and nearly 60 percent higher than the 10-year average of 141 filings. Following the Midwest, bankruptcies were also higher in the Rockies, the Southwest and Northeast. Only the Pacific and Southeast saw fewer bankruptcies in 2018 than in 2017. In the Pacific, bankruptcies were the lowest in the last decade, and in the Southeast bankruptcies were the lowest since 2013. Figure 4 shows the year-over-year percentage change in farm bankruptcies by region (Note: percentage changes reflect the small denominator associated with Chapter 12 filings.)

Summary

Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in the U.S. were down in 2018 compared to prior-year levels. While total bankruptcies were lower, as a proportion of farms in the U.S., bankruptcies were higher. Then, in some portions of the U.S., farm bankruptcies were at decade-high levels – likely reflecting poor commodity prices and cash receipts associated with dairy and row crop production.

This situation is likely to worsen. Farm debt is record-high, the debt-to-asset ratio has climbed for six consecutive years, and farm debt as a proportion of annual farm income is at 97 percent—a 32-year high. In addition, lending standards are tighter and the cost of credit is rising. There are options before bankruptcy relief, and certainly many farmers have liquidated assets to discharge the debt. How much longer can many others endure remains a question.

The capacity to repay debt will be further challenged in 2019 if farm commodity prices do not improve. Continued retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural commodities will only make it harder for farmers to service debt as another, i.e. third, round of trade mitigation payments is not expected.

Finally, while the trends are concerning, bankruptcy does not mean the loss of the family farm. Through a successful Chapter 12 bankruptcy, a farmer may have an opportunity to retain assets and continue the farm operation in some capacity.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Washington--The following may be attributed to Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation: “Today’s release of a new draft Clean Water Rule is a major step toward fair and understandable water regulation on America’s farms and ranches and other working lands. The previous rule would have treated much of the landscape as though it were water itself. That wasn’t just confusing, but also illegal, which is why so many federal courts blocked its implementation.

“We haven’t yet examined every word of today’s proposal, but even a quick look shows many of the previous rule’s worst problems are on their way out. We will examine this rule in further detail in the coming days and look forward to a thorough discussion over the next few months.

“Until then, farmers and ranchers continue to work hard every day to preserve the world around us. Agriculture Department data shows farmers and ranchers are devoting more of their land to conservation than ever before, thanks to USDA programs that let them do well while doing good. Just one example: Duck populations have recovered strongly from previous lows in the upper Midwest’s Prairie Pothole Region, where they now number 17 percent above long-term averages: https://www.fb.org/market-intel/wetlands-farmers-just-ducky. We are proud of the progress farmers and ranchers have made in their fields and ranges, and we look forward to making even more progress with fair, clear and reasonable rules.”

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Boise--The Idaho Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee met at Boise's Ronald McDonald House this morning with a check to the families of critically ill children.

The mission of the Ronald McDonald House is to provide a “home away from home” for families of sick and injured children receiving medical treatment in Boise. Executive Director Mindy Plumlee says 620 families spent time at the facility in 2018, and they're booked just about every week.

"This is a 17 bedroom house and we're full," said Plumlee. "That's why we welcome the Farm Bureau Women's committee donation. It means so much to families staying here."

The Ronald McDonald House, located on Main St. near St. Luke's Hospital, started in 1988 and provides affordable alternative housing for out-of-town families with children who require medical treatment. Right now, a construction site next door will serve as the next Ronald McDonald House. The new house will triple capacity and is scheduled to open in 2020.

Built in the early 1900s and purchased by the late J.R. Simplot for the Ronald McDonald Foundation. Families are charged just $10 a night; the balance is paid with public and private donations to the Ronald McDonald house, and any family who is unable to pay the $10 is not turned away.

The Women's Committee visits the Ronald McDonald House every year as part of the 'Our Food Link" program in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau. The Food Link program's mission is to remind consumers where their food comes from.

“We're not just helping the struggling families but we're on a mission, we want the people of Idaho to know that we have the best, most plentiful and cheapest food supply in the world, we're sharing that good fortune with those who need it, and they need it now,” said Chairwoman Judy Woody.

Woody presented the House with a check. The funds were collected from County Farm Bureaus across the state. Director Plumlee is thankful for the help. “We’ll spend it all on food, and things needed to sustain the families during their stay here.

Our Food Link is a year-round program that county and state Farm Bureaus use to reach consumers to tell the story of today’s agriculture. This outreach is more important than ever because the average American is now at least three generations removed from the farm. In fact, farm and ranch families make up less than 2 percent of the U.S. population today.

The red snack bags contain healthy snacks for lawmakers and each year the Women Leaders of Farm Bureau provide the bags as part of the Farm Bureau's annual food link program.

The program also has month and day significance. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, on average, American consumers spend 10.9 percent of their disposable income on food -- about 40 days' earnings. This year the Food link program has fallen on Feb. 11th. In sharp contrast to the 40 days it takes the average American to pay for his or her food supply for the year, it took Americans 131 days to earn enough money to pay federal, state and local taxes last year. The trend is for food to continue to require a smaller percentage of annual income, and that's the most amazing aspect of food affordability in America.

"In these bags, we have all the different commodities we grow in Idaho represented in these healthy snacks," said Women's Leadership Chair Judy Woody. We have a popcorn ball, some beef jerky, milk which was raised in Idaho, not to mention a loaf of bread which represents the wheat industry, apples, honey, mints, and huckleberries."

Ten years ago, Food Link Day would have been marked on Feb. 12. In 1980, it would have fallen on Feb. 18; in 1970, Feb. 20. And in 1960, Food Check-Out Day would have been celebrated on March 4.

Boise--Katie Hettinga of Kuna won the Women's Leadership Committee Speech Contest this morning at the Idaho Statehouse. The event is sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Committee.

"I didn't personally grow up on a farm, I don't have the typical farm kid, but the speech introduced to me to a lot of state statistics and I found out how great Idaho Agriculture is to the state economy. The speech has allowed me to take part in Ag and take pride in my Dad's involvement in Agriculture and its spin-off industries. It's allowed me to be more informed in my FFA activities," said Hettinga.

Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin welcomed the 6 contestants to the East Wing of the Statehouse. She emphasized the importance of communication in agriculture and urged students to hone their craft and tell the world about their farming operations.

Hettinga's speech immediately captured the Statehouse Audience by addressing the economic importance of Idaho agriculture. She said through technological change, yields are larger and a new generation is finding out that Ag is not only high-tech but the driving force of the State Economy.

“Idaho Agriculture moves our economy," said Hettinga. "Idaho is an Agriculture-rich state. The population is small with just over a million people. We feed our people and so many more. People rely on us for food, shelter, seeds. Ag is the center of our existence and it will sweep us into the future."

Hettinga won a $150 scholarship check, and she'll use the money for her college fund. Last year's winner, Kaitlyn Merkin took second place in the annual contest.

Washington--The Commerce Department has indicated the United States will withdraw from a previous agreement with Mexico and resume an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Mexican fresh tomatoes.

The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The renewed anti-dumping investigation against Mexican fresh tomato imports is a necessary action. Despite a previous accord that banned artificially low prices, Mexican producers have found ways to exploit the agreement and increase their market share.

“Farm Bureau believes in free and fair trade. North American agricultural trade has been an enormous boon for the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but the United States must take action when that trade ceases to be fair.”

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Jake Putnam grew up on a farm outside of Portneuf Gap, Idaho. Along the way he taught tennis, taught at a junior high school, worked on a newspaper, and spent 13 years as a broadcast reporter. While reporting he met kings, and movie stars, covered the Statehouse, flew in fighter jets and nearly got burned up in the great Yellowstone fire. He has an Emmy and two nominations to his credit. Putnam now writes for the Producer and Quarterly magazines, and the Farm Bureau News blog.